Adhesive sheeting



Patented Oct. 31, 1939 2,177,627 ADHESIVE snnn'rmc Richard Gurley Drew, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Minnesota Mining 8a Manufacturing Company, St. Paul,=Minn., a corporation oi Delaware originahapplication June 10, 1933, Serial No.

675,291. Divided and this application February 18, 1938, Serial No. 191,255

16 Claims.

This invention relates to adhesive sheets having a backing with a non-fibrous surface (such as normal or waterproofe'd films of regenerated cellulose) and a coating of normally tacky and pressure-sensitive adhesive united thereto. While not limited thereto, the invention relates especially to transparent adhesive sheets, to adhesive sheets in the form of adhesive tapes which may be sold in stacked or coiled form, and to adhesive 0 sheets or tapes which are well adapted to the sealing or securing of wrappers composed of .non-

' fibrous lustrous cellulosic films and the like. i

This application is a division of my co-pending application Ser. No. 675,291, filed June 10, 1933, and is in part a continuation of my copending application Ser. No. 534,386, filed May 1, 1931.

r The development of packagingand Wrapping sheets composed of thin, transparent and flexible non-fibrous films has raised special problems as to scaling or fastening with adhesives. Likewise, the desirability of using such films as backings for adhesive tapes cannot be met by use of the old conventional adhesives. Such sheet material is exemplified by gelatinized cellulosic materials which form films, such as regenerated cellulose, cellulose esters (as cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate-butyrate and cellulose acetate), and cellulose ethers (as ethyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose), and by regenerated cellulose films which have been waterproofed by coating on one or both sides with a layer or film of a cellulose derivative. The popularity of these materials resides in such qualities as brilliancy, sheen and transparency, and in the later development of such material, in the quality of. waterproofness. ,Ordinary glue type adhesives are insufiiciently adherent by reason of the nonporous or highly glazed surfaces provided by this type of sheet material.

In accordance with this invention, sheets of such film material are provided with coatings oi normally tacky and pressure-sensitive adhesive firmly united thereto. By "normally'tacky and pressure-sensitive it is meant that under ordinary atmospheric conditions the adhesive is stably in a condition such that it does not need. to be activated by solvents or heat or otherwise prepared in order to secure good adherence to surfaces against which the adhesive coating (with its backing) may be pressed when used. An adhesive coating is provided which enables the adhesive sheeting to be affixed to smooth lustrous surfaces, such as non-fibrous cellulosic surfaces of wrapping or packaging sheets or films. An object of the invention is to provide a unified adhesive coating possessed of such coherence in relation to adhesiveness and so firmly united to its backing that the adhesive sheet may be stripped from smooth non-fibrous u faces (not possessing special chemical afilnity for the. adhesive), to which it may have been temporarily applied, without offsetting of adhesive material. Hence the adhesive coating may be termed "non-offsetting, and this expression designates an important physical or physico-chemicalproperty or characteristic of the adhesive coating, namely, that its coherency is greater than its adhesiveness. Further, an object is to provide adhesive sheets having an adhesive coating that is in elastic equilibrium with its backing so that warping and curling of the sheet,

and blistering of the adhesive coating, are

avoided.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a roll of adhesive tape, the tape having anon-fibrous film backing provided with a water-insoluble normally tacky and pressuresensitive adhesive coating, which may be unwound without delamination or ofisetting of adhesive;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional representation'of a construction in which a primer coating is interposed between the backing film and the normally tacky and pressure-sensitive adhesive coating; and 1 Fig. 3 is a corresponding representation in which the primer coating is omitted. 1

Adhesive sheets are provided in which all components and the composite are transparent, so that the sheets may be applied without concealing the coloring or markings of the surfaces to which applied.

The transparent backing may be printed in reverse, on the face which carries the adhesive and prior to coating, to provide an adhesive sheet with the printing visible through and protected by the backing.

The adhesive sheets may be prepared with a surface continuously coated with adhesive, as in the case of ordinary adhesive tapes, labels and seals, or with the adhesive on certain areas only, as in the case of a packaging sheet pro- 'vided with coated portions to permit sealing without the use of other sealing means.

It is preferred that the backing to which the adhesive coating is united be a transparent, flexible, non-fibrous film of gelatinized cellulosic material, such as regenerated cellulose (as normal or u nwaterproofed cellophane"), cellulose esters (as cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate), cellulose ethers (as ethyl cellulose), or composites of such materials as, for example, a, film of regenerated cellulose coated on one or both surfaces .with a waterproofing film of a cellulose derivative (as a cellulose ester or ether). However, I may utilize backings comprised of materials other than gelatinized cellulosio materials, and which are either non-fibrous or are coated with non fibrous films (preferably waterproof) composed of cellulosic or other suitable material, including varnishes, lacquers, etc.

In its preferred form my'invention is particularly applicable to transparent films of gelatinized cellulosic materials, such as regenerated cellulose, which is clear, transparent and lustrous. This may be made by forming an alkali cellulose compound, properly aged, of wood pulp or cotton liners, then xanthating to prepare viscose with carbon bisulfide and after careful filtration and clarifying by removing air or solid particles, casting the viscose in' a coagulating bath of sulfuric acid and sodium sulfate.

with glycerine, and then dried.

The regenerated cellulose film so produced may be waterproofed either on one side or on The film so cast is desulfurized, bleached, softened both sides, with a suitably compounded thin film of nitro-cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose.

ether, and similar cellulosic compounds. It will be understood that the waterproofing ingredients 7 may include oxidized oils, varnishes and lacquers. The primary requisite is the application of these waterproofing films so as not to impair the lustrous and transparent characteristics of the sheet formed and to overcome any tendency to provide a warped sheet by the waterproofing layer that may be applied. Additionally, coatings such as transparent rubber, synthetic resins, and like materials may be used as a waterproof coating.

Where transparency of the adhesive tape is not of major importance, but where it isdesired to provide a fiat, unwarped exposed brilliant and lustrous surface, I have determined that an ad-. hesive coating-may be applied to the cellulosic film of the character previously enumerated and obtain a composite in which the adhesive is unified thereto, and inelastic equilibrium with the film, by using a composition made as follows:

Example A A rubber compound and a tackiness augmenting agent in the form of a synthetic resin are used. Proportions suitable for ordinary temperate climates may comprise:

, Pounds Plasticized, first quality plantation rubber,

such as clear crepe or smoked sheets 10 Cumaron gum or resin 2 Zinc oxide pigment The cumarone gum -or, resin is an artificial resinous material comingunder the group name of cumarone and indene resins, which is the polymerization product of coal tar derivatives. The above ingredients are compounded on a rubber rolling mill to a plastic condition and then .out to desired body or consistency, using a rubber L'olvent such as benzol or a petroleum solvent, such as high test gasoline. In lieu of a synthetic resin, I may employ a low melting point natural resin, e. g., Burgundy pitch or pine oil foots. Burgundy pitch is soluble in both alcohol and benzol.

Example B Pounds Plantation rubber 2 Mexican or wild rubber, high in natural resin content 5 Zinc oxide pigment 1 The ingredients above enumerated are compounded ona rubber mixing roll and then cut to the desired consistency in a rubber solvent, based upon the necessary viscosity for spreading this material.

It will be understood that the examples abovegiven are for the purposes of getting the requisite adhesiveness in temperate climates. An increase in resinous material or wild rubber may bemade for material to be used in colder climates, and in warmerclimates the resin component may be reduced.

The resinous component may also be varied in its characteristics in its reactions to solventsby choice of the resinous material. Thus, for purposes of removal of the adhesive tape from some body to which it may be applied, the adhesive may be made so as to have aresin' constituent which is soluble in a desired organic solvent, such as benzol, gasoline, acetone or alcohol. Thus, where it is desirable to make a surgeon's tape which is rendered removable by the application of alcohol, an alcohol soluble resin is added in the examples above cited. Such resin may be Burgundy pitch. This'will permit alcohol to be used in removing a piece of adhesive tape from any surface, such as from the skin of. a patient, by merely applying alcohol to the adhesive.

The rubber resin compounds in their solvents 4 may be spread upon the backing directly, utilizing a knife spreader to uniformly and equally distribute this material upon the backing. The solvent may thereafter be removed. by evaporation, preferably recovering the solvent by some suitable recovery method, leaving the rubber mixture upon the gelatinized cellulosic backing material. The coating so applied is firmly adherent and unified to the backing material andprovides a normally tacky and pressuresensitive adhesive coating of a unified character, without in any way curling or warping the transparent gelatinize'd cellulosic film.

Where it is desired to obtain a. clear composite of backing material and adhesive, theadhesive preferred by me for this purpose may be made as follows:

Example 0 V Parts Rubber (double break down latexcrepe) 200 Para'cumarone resin 85 Woodr i 10 Liquid paraflin oil e 5' (All parts are by weight.)

As a variationfrom the above, where lack of transparency is not objectionable and the addition of a colored hue to the composite of backing and adhesive material desirable, the formula may be varied as follows:

Example D Parts Rubber (latex crepe) 250 Zinc oxide g 225 Pine green light colored pigment 25 Wood rosin 13'? Liquid paraflin oil 30 V This t pe of adhesive is normally'tacky and pressure-sensitive and has a greenish opacity. It will be understood that where a different color {is desired to be imparted to the transparent film able and particularly for a clear blue transparency, indamine blue is suggested as of value for this purpose; pigmenting may be accomplished by such material as Prussian blue.

The Zinc oxide filler, when used, serves as a reinforcing pigment imparting greater coherency and firmness to the adhesive coating. Colored pigments likewise function as reinforcing pigments and thus have a function in addition to that ofcoloring the adhesive.

In the examples C andD given above, paraflin oil has been included for purposes of plasticizing the rubber. I have found that in order to obtain 1 maximum transparency and the highest possible bond strength and firmness of the adhesive inter se, the paraffin oil may be omitted.

Such adhesive coating, particularly valuable for this purpose, is as follows:

Example E Parts Rosin 160 to 200 Thin latex crepe rubber 250 Beta naphthol 2.5

Approximately 3248 parts of benzol may be added to the above ingredients to provide a readily spreadable cement, and the ingredients may be incorporated in the benzol without the necessity for milling.

In the example given, beta naphthol has been specified and this is primarily used as an antioxidant. This material is desirable in the above formula, as well as in the other formulae given under A, B and C, in that the adhesives are given longer life.

Other antioxidants are desirable and may be included wherever rubber is used in the adhesive. Such antioxidants which may be used are as follows:

( 1) Aldol-alpha-naphthylamine.

(2) Phenyl-beta-naphthylamine. h

(3) Symmetrical-d1-beta-naphthyl para di ylene-diamine.

In theexamples as above given, the proportions are by weight and variation may be made in the primary materials, as well as the quantity of the ingredients. Thus, in the examples given under C, D and E, latex crepe, the rubber component,

' may be varied by substitution in part or in whole by smoked sheet rubber. Though the synthetic resins, such as cumarone resins above referred to are preferred, various blends of other synthetic resins may be utilized, in part or in whole. To a certain extent, the wood rosin maybe substituted by various grades of gum rosin.

In making the adhesives, the rubber base and the resin base determine the tackiness exhibited by the "finished product. Thisrelationship, also coupled to a certain extent with the treatment given to "the rubber, determines this factor.

In producing a clear adhesive, the relationship of plasticizer (above listed in the form of liquid paraflin oil) and resinous material may be considered as constituting the tack producing phase of the adhesive and up to a certain point the greater the quantity of the tack producing phase.

poses of unwinding of the tape from rolls, the

However, in order toprovide a unifiedadhesive, satisfactory for pur-- resinous content must be retained within certain contemplated by me above, results from milling .latex crepe rubber for approximately fifteen minutes to plasticize the same, with or without heat, and after aging for twenty-four hours, is again plasticized in a mill. At this stage, the material is suitable for addition to the material constituting the tack producing phase. This may be accomplished as follows:

Method A. 200 parts of rubber (double break down latex crepe from the rubber mill as above described) are placed in an internal mixer where the para cumarone resin, wood rosin and paraffin oil (where this is used) are gradually added during the mixing operation to thoroughly incor-' porate the same into the rubber. No solvent need be used ,if the mixer is powerful enough to knead these resinous materials into the rubber. When this dry mixing has been thoroughly accomplished, a rubber solvent, such as heptane or benzol. is introduced while the internal mixer is maintained in operation. This action is continued until complete solution results. The quantity of solvent added is in accordance with the means to be employed for spreading this material upon the backing material.

double break down latex crepe as above made) are placed in' a stirring equipment where paddles agitate the solvent and otheringredients into solution. When 200 parts of rubber have been placed into this mixer, the agitating member is started and a quantity of rubber solvent, such as heptane or benzol, is added to dissolve the rubber. The resinous materials in this particular example, para cumarone resin, wood rosin and the liquid paraflin oil (where this is used), are dissolved in a separate mixer, using an additional quantity of solvent, for example heptane or benzol. When these parts are uniformly distributed and in solution, the parts from each mixer are combined. The quantity of benzol or other solvent is calculated in accordance with the method which may be used for spreading it upon the backing material. The solvent is evaporated after coating or spreading of the adhesive upon the backing, material.

In use, the adhesive as above described may be directly applied to the backing or sheets of transparent gelatinlzed cellulosic materials, pre viously enumerated, and forms a desirable product.

Where considerable unification is desired between the adherive layer and the backing material, to assure proper anchorage of the adhesive layer with the backing material, thereby assuring satisfactory unwinding or separation when the composite is formed into rolls or stacks, it is preferred to first coat the sheet of gelatinized' cellulosic material with a priming composition. Priming on one surface is particularly effective with sheets formed of regenerated cellulose. The priming operation consists of first coating the backing material before application of the adhesive materials previously described.

The priming composition as preferred by me is a solution of a rubber resin mixture in an or- "HUULILLI'H'iLk/VV I nuvuv I u.

ganic solvent in which the solid materials may be varied from 15 to 50% with 85 to 50% of the solvents used. Preferably the solids constituteabout 17% of the solution so prepared.

I Primer No. 1 A preferred composition comprises:

Parts Rubber (latex crepe) 2 Resin (such as pine pitch or wood rosin) 4 A filler, such as whiting (optional) 1 given, such properties may be imparted to the deposition product by utilizing rubber which has been partially vulcanized, plasticizing in a mixing device such as an internal mixer in the presence of heat, sufficient to render the mass sticky and to cause the ultimate primer coating to have a strong bonding action. As an additional operation, a solvent retardent may be added. Though whiting is illustrated, other fillers may be used, such as zinc oxide, which serve as reinforcing pigments to give greater coherency and firmness, in addition to any solvent retarding action which they may have.

Though it is indicated that high grade vulcanized rubber, plasticized to tackiness, may be utilized with some degree of success in the example above cited and identified as Primer No. 1, it is preferred, particularly where transparency is desired, to use the combination of ingredients above identified, and to merely add during-the mixing operation the requisite quantity of sulphur and accelerators. The quantity of these ingradients, if any, is merely sufficient to render the rubber component difiicultly soluble in the sol vent present in the solution of the adhesive composition, so made for spreading purposes, without reducing the quality of this priming coat to unify with the adhesive layer superimposed thereover.

Primer N0. 2

Rubber, in the form commonly. referred to as latex crepe, with the resin content in the proportions above indicated, has added thereto sulfur and accelerators. These are vulcanized with heat after intimate admixture and, while in the softened condition, are mechanically milled until a sticlqr mass, soluble in benzol or naphtha, is obtained. The amount of benzol or naphtha added is to obtain the requisite fluidity and these solvents may be added to the solid components in quantities of from 50 to as compared with the rubber and resin content.

The primers above described under I and 2 may be further rendered resistant .to the solvent action of the overlying adhesive to be applied in a subsequent step, by the use of Vulcoloc as a superimposed priming composition. This material is, to the best of my knowledge, a reaction product of rubber and a sulphur bearing acid. Vulcoloc may be applied directly to the backing material prior to the application of the solution of adhesive material. Application of an organic solution of the adhesive does not affect the coat- Parts Selected-tube reclaim rubber Latex crepe rubber 10 Whiting 40 FF wood rosin Primer No. 4 Selected inner tube reclaimed rubber treated further to remove pigment 90 Latex crepe rubber 10 FF wood rosin 140 In the above examples, still better results will be obtained by using, in place of FF wood rosin, a heat-treated wood rosin known as Solros wood rosin.

The reclaim rubber and latex (and whiting or other reinforcing pigment when used) are comppunded together on the ordinary type of rubber mill and milled for 30-40 minutes. This milled base is then transferred to a heavy duty internal mixer (such as a Baker Perkins Mogul type mixer) and milled for 1-2 hours with 10-20 lbs. steam pressure in the heating jacket. The rosin is then added and mixing is continued for another hour. The jacket steam is then turned on and the mass cooled. The requisite amount of solvent (heptane or benzol for example) is then added. preferably in amount equal to 45 parts by weight per part of reclaim rubber. Mixing is continued, generally for about hour, until the whole mass is homogeneous. The resulting primer composition or solution is then ready for application to the backing.

In this method of compounding, the reclaim rubber becomes plasticized by the mechanical working in the presence of heat and air, and is further plasticized by the rosin which is thoroughly incorporated with the rubber.

Thereclaim rubber is superior to raw rubber, for use in the primer, for several reasons, including: The primer coating is rendered difficultly soluble in the rubber solvent contained in the subsequently applied adhesive solution, because the reclaim rubber is in a partially vulcanized state which greatly decreases the rate of solution in rubber solvents. The primer coating has a greater bonding action, i. e., becomes more firmly unified to the backing and to the adhesive coating, due to the higher adhesion alue of the reclaim rubber resulting from the heating cycle and amount of break down experienced in the reclaiming process. These features are obtained without sacrifice of firmness or coherency of the primer coating, due to the high -.cohesiveness of the reclaim rubber resulting from its prior vulcanization. If raw rubber were subjected to the same treatment, it would have softness and stickiness but would lack adequate cohesiveness. The reclaim rubber above referred to 'in the formulae for makingthe rimers is preferably made as follows:

Light colored inner tube stock maybe utilized,

though other forms oi. culcanized rubber may be used. Where inner tube stock is used, it is chopped up on mill rolls, preferably of the type utilizing breaker members, simulating heavy gear teeth. Rolls of this character operate in pairs,

.it is then passed .over a screen and the fine particles separated out. The coarse particles are recirculated through the breakers until they also go. through the screen. The fine particles are then charged into horizontal digestors, where they are treated with caustic'soda solution, the heating of the stock being carried out under a steam pressure of about 40 pounds while being agitated. This treatment is carried out from 8 to 24 hours, to remove all fibres and free sulfur, and to plasticize the rubber. After digestion as above described, the stock is washed with water until practically free from caustic. The stock is then charged into a continuous belt drying system, where it is dried at a rather low temperature. The stock is then ready for the mill room, where the first operation is to mass these small particles together on a large mill. After consolidation on the large mill, the rubber is then run through refiners, which cause grinding and crushing of any hard particles in the stock. The product is then passed througha strainer in which the rubber is extruded through heavy mill screens into small rod-like forms, after which they are massed together into sheets or slabs.

,In some cas'es the procedure above described may be slightly varied, for example, when certain types of inner tube reclaim are desired, the pulverized scrap is heated in the presence of steam alone, without any caustic. It is thereupon, after being heated, sent directly tothe mill room, without any further treatment.

In general, the primer layer is one which makes satisfactory bond with the regenerated cellulose backing material, or the gelatinized cellulosic material constituting such backing material, which may include a waterproofing layer of cellulosic compounds.- Such primer may be a layer of a synthetic resin, such as one of the group of .polyhydric-alcohol polyba's ic-acid resins, which makes excellent union with gelatinized cellulosic materials and with rubber. In the event that it is desired to wholly eliminate the above types of primer layer and waterproof the backing material of regenerated cellulose, where this is used. the waterproofing layer over the regenerated cellulose backing material is one which has afilnity for the adhesive coating so that the adhesive coating makes better anchorage than would be the case if the regenerated cellulosic film were used alone. Such waterproofing materials which have a primer function, may be a highly plasticized nitrocellulose or cellulose acetate, oxidized and gelatinized drying oils, synthetic resins, such as phenolic condensation resins, or those of water white characteristics, slch as urea resins. Those ingredients are chosen, as above indicated, which will be difilcultly soluble in the solvent used in the solution of the adhesive layer composition subsequently applied thereto, 50 as not to result in a weakened structure preventing proper unification between the adhesive coating and the backing material.

Where nitrocellulose is used for the waterproofing layer, -it may be highly plasticized by resinousmaterial, which may be used in the proportion of 67-50% to 33-50% of nitrocellulose material. a solution which when applied to the regenerated cellulose backing, will form a coating of this typ upon evaporation of the solvents:

Parts Nitrocellulose, such as V second cotton 9 ylol l5 Cellosolve (ethylene glycol monoethyl ether) 10 Resin, such as "Rezyl 12 (a condensation product of castor oil and phthalic anhydride) 1'2 Dammar cut (a solution of 40% dammar resin and 60% benzol) 16 The method of application of the coating ma 'terials above described will, to a large extent. de-

pend upon the character of the coating. 'The primer and adhesive coatings maybe successively applied where these are used in solutions of volatile solvents, by an offset process from rollers uniformly coated with the primer compositions or the adhesive composition. With the more viscous composition of either primer or adhesive, these papers may be coated upon the backing by a knife spreader. For the more plastic form of either composition and where unification is desired, calendering or frictioning of these materials may be resortedto, to apply either the priming coat, or the adhesive coat or both.

As an example of one method which may be followed in preparing the composite, the following procedure is recommended. A web of regenerated cellulose film of the desired thickness (which may have been printed on the face receiving the primer) is carried through a set of vertically positioned squeeze rolls. The lower roll has transferred to it, or dips into, the solution of the primer composition. A uniform layer of primer is applied at this point to the film or web of backing material. The web thus prepared travels from the squeeze rolls, to a duct for removing and drying ofi. the solvents in the primer. The web then is directed to a contrivance for coating, at which point a doctor knife or coating knife is used to spread a film of the composition of adhesive material. The composition is directly applied over the primer and the composite as coatedis either hung in festoons or travels through a drying duct, at which point sufiicient time is allowed -for complete removal of the solvent, and to form the deposition product to the desired consistency, due to the solid components present, for tackiness. If heat has been utilized to separate the solvent from the deposition product resulting in the adhesive, the composite thus formed may be cooled and brought toroom temperature, to render the product in more convenient form for stacking. or winding into rolls. Where wound into rolls, the composite thus formed is then cut or converted into small rolls, suitable for trade requirements.

The adhesive composition as deposited upon the film as heretofore descrlbed is one which is normally tacky and pressure-sensitive. It is of particular utility in connection with the lustrous, highly polished backing material described, in that the adhesive layer is in equilibrium with it and will not alter or warp its appearance. As indicated, the adhesive layer is unified in that it The following is given'as an example of has great adhesion interse (coherence) and when applied forms a unified product with the backing material. When wound into rolls or formed into stacks, the lustrous surface of the backing will not be modified, no offsetting will occur and ready separation is assured of the entire composite from its adjacent layer.

Where'the product may encounter low humidities or low temperatures, it may be desirable to coat the -back side of the backing material with a protective coating, such as a thin film of glycerine.

plied which is not disintegrated by or which does not interfere with the adhesive action of the adhesive layer. It will be understood, however, that under ordinary conditions, the composite of backing material and adhesive layer as hereinbefore described is a complete unified product and no further treatment need be made.

The foregoing adhesive coatings are characterized by being water-insoluble and in themselves make for a waterproofing of the underlying base.

Primer N0. 5

' The characteristic features of the above primer are that it is compatible with the backing material where it is regenerated cellulose, such as Cellophane, fiexibilized with glycerine, or such cellulosic material including the cellulosic compounds previously enumerated, coated with waterproofingmaterials, and is also compatible with any of the previously mentioned water-insoluble pressure-sensitive adhesive coatings.

In the formula of Primer No. 5, I have referred to the use of caseinin connection with rubber latex. The casein is more or less-water-soluble,

especially in the presence of the ammonium hydroxide, and not only facilitates anchorage to glycerine-treated- Cellophane when this is used as the backing, but is also compatible with the water-soluble type of adhesive coating when the priming coat isfinally dried. This water-insoluble material, as included in the primer, may be supplemented by or substituted by glue, isinglass or gelatin, and other similar water-soluble materials, which not only facilitate the dispersion of the latex but also include the feature of being compatible with water-soluble materials. It will further be noted that though in the preferred merely sufficient ammonium hydroxide is used form of the primer, where casein is used, it is preferred to use ammonium hydroxide in order to facilitate the solution of the casein, the quantity of ammonium hydroxide may be reduced where other water-soluble materials are used, and

to prevent untimely separation of the solids of the rubber latex.

The rubber included in the emulsion type of primer is for purposes of having some material compatible with the water-insoluble adhesive coating and water-insoluble backing, and while I have specified in my preferred form'of primer the inclusion of a dispersion of rubber latex, disper- In such event, a protective coating is apsions of natural and synthetic resins, particularly those which will give a clear and colorless or It will be understood that in the application of the primer to the backing material, drying is effected after coating, before the adhesive coating is applied.

The use of water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive coatings is described in more detail in parent application Ser. No. 675,291, filed June 10, 1933, and in. my companion application Ser. No. 191,261, filed of even date herewith.

The use of a plasticized rubber primer is claimed in my application Ser. No. 191,260; and the use of a cellulose-derivative backing in my application Ser. No. 191,264; both filed of even date herewith.

What I claim is as follows:

1. An adhesive sheet comprising a transparent flexible non-fibrous film backing having smooth lustrous surfaces and a non-offsetting normally tacky and pressure-sensitive water-insoluble adhesive coating firmly united to said backing, said adhesive including a coloring material visible through the backing soithat'tl'fiback'suiface surface is-inactive to the adhesive coating to a degree permitting unwinding of the adhesive sheet from rolls thereof without delamination or offsetting of adhesive, and the adhesive including a coloring material visible through the backing.

3. An adhesive sheet comprising a transparent flexible non-fibrous cellulosic film backing and a non-offsetting normally tacky and pressuresensitive water-insoluble adhesive coating containing a reinforcing and coloring pigment firmly united to and visible through said backing, the back surface of the backing being lustrous and inactive to said adhesive coating to permit re moval or unwinding from stacks and rolls without perceptible offsetting of adhesive.

4. A transparent adhesive sheet comprising a non-fibrous transparent flexible film backing having non-poroussurfaces and a water-insoluble normally tacky and pressure-sensitive transparent flexible adhesive coating, said adhesive coating non-porous surfaces and a water-insoluble transparent adhesive coatinghaving a rubbery base and so composed that it is non-oifsetting and normally tacky and pressure-sensitive, said adhesive coating being firmly united to said backing and the adhesive and backing being of such kinds that the back .surface of the backing is non-fibrous transparent flexible film backing havmitting unwinding of the adhesive sheet from rolls thereof without delamination or offsetting of adhesive.

6. A transparent adhesive sheet comprising a non-fibrous transparent flexible cellulosic film backing having non-porous surfaces and a waterinsoluble transparent adhesive coating having a rubbery base and so composed that it is nonoffsetting and normally tacky and pressuresensitive, said adhesive coating being firmly united to said backing and the adhesive and backing being of such kinds that the back surface of the backing is inactive to the adhesive coating to a degree permitting unwinding of the adhesive sheet from rolls thereof without delamination or offsetting of adhesive.

7. A transparent adhesive sheet comprising a non-fibrous transparent flexible regenerated cellulose film backing having non-porous surfaces and a Water-insoluble transparent adhesive coating having a rubbery base and so composed that it is non-offsetting and normally tacky and pressure-sensitive, said adhesive coating being firmly united to said backing and the adhesive and backing being of such kinds that the back surface of the backing is inactive to the adhesive coating to a degree permitting unwinding of the adhesive sheet from rolls thereof without delamination or offsetting of adhesive.

8. An adhesive sheet comprising a transparent flexible non-fibrous cellulosic film backing having smooth lustrous surfaces and a water-insoluble normally tacky and pressure-sensitive nonoifsetting transparent rubber-resin type adhesive coating firmly united to said surface, the composite sheet being transparent.

9. An adhesive sheet .comprising a regenerated cellulose film having united thereto a waterproofing coating comprising a cellulose ester highly plasticized with a synthetic resin and providing a smooth non-fibrous surface, and a water-insoluble normally tacky and pressure-sensitive non-offsetting rubber-resin adhesive coating united to said surface, the parts of the composite adhesive sheet being transparent, and so firmly united together that the adhesive sheet maybe unwound from rolls without delamination or 011-- setting of adhesive.

10. An adhesive sheet comprising a transparent flexible non-fibrous film having non-porous surfaces, a coating thereupon of a non-offsetting I 2,177,827 inactive to the adhesive coating to a degree .per-

and ormally tacky and pressure-sensitive, and an interposed transparent flexible primer coating firmly bonding said adhesive coating to the backing, the adhesive sheet having its parts so firmly united that it may be unwound from rolls thereof without delamination or offsetting of adhesive.

12. A transparent adhesive sheet comprising a non-fibrous transparent flexible cellulosic film backing having non-porous surfaces, 9. waterinsoluble transparent adhesive coating comprised of raw rubber blended with a compatible tackproducing resin in proportions such that the adhesive coating is non-offsetting and normally tacky and presure-sensitive, and an interposed flexible transparent primer coating firmly bonding said adhesive coating to said backing.-

13. An adhesive sheet comprising a transparent non-fibrous cellulosic fllm backing, a coating thereupon of a non-offsetting normally tacky and pressure-sensitive water-insoluble adhesive containing a coloring material, and an interposed transparent primer coating unified both to the backing and to said adhesive coating, the adhesive being visible through the backing and causing the back surface of the backing to have a colored appearance.

14. An adhesive sheet comprising a transparent flexible non-flbrous film backing, a coating thereupon of a non-oifsetting normally tacky and pressure-sensitive water-insoluble adhesive containing a coloring. material, and an interposed transparent primer coating bonding said adhesive coating to said backing, the adhesive being visible through the backing and causing the back surface of the backing to have a colored ap' pearance.

15. An adhesive sheet comprising a non-fibrous flexible film backing having non-porous surfaces and a water-insoluble normally tacky and pressure-sensitive flexible adhesive coating, said adhesive coating being firmly united to said backing and the adhesive and backing being of such kinds that the back surface of the backing is inactive to the adhesive coating to a degree permitting unwinding of the adhesive sheet from rolls thereof without delamination or oflsetting of adhesive, said adhesive sheet transmitting light so that the sheet will not conceal the coloring or markingsof surfaces to which applied.

16. An adhesive sheet comprising a non-fibrous flexible film backing having non-porous surfaces, a water-insoluble normally tacky and pres: sure-sensitive flexible adhesive coating, and an interposed flexible primer coating firmly bonding said adhesive coating to the backing, the adhesive and backing being of such kinds that the back surface of the backing is inactive to the adhesive coating to a degree permitting unwinding of the adhesive sheetfrom rolls thereof without delamination or offsetting of adhesive, said adhesive sheet transmitting light so that the sheet will not conceal the coloring or markings of surfaces to which applied.

RICHARD GURLEY DREW. 

